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Vinh has a population of 230,000 inhabitants. The city was entirely destroyed during the Viet Nam war. Its economy is based on light industries, commerce, education and administrative services. The city suffers from yearly severe flooding.

Location: Vinh
Branch: Urban Development
Partner: Government of Vietnam, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, DANIDA, UN-HABITAT
Donor:
Theme: Environmental Planning & Management,Environmental Sustainability
Cost:


Background and objectives

Vinh has a population of 230,000 inhabitants. The city was entirely destroyed during the Viet Nam war. Its economy is based on light industries, commerce, education and administrative services. The city suffers from yearly severe flooding.

The project started in 1997 with the support of the Post Graduate Centre for Human settlements of the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. The project focused mainly on the following issues:

* Methodological discussion around the Master Plan, encouraging strategic planning and coherence in investment projects;
* Improvement of solid waste management, including a sensitisation campaign, pilot projects at ward level and alternative disposal options;
* Revitalisation of public housing scheme of Quang Trung and adoption of participatory management approaches;
* Targeted training on environmental planning and management issues for the People's Committee and for community leaders.

Activities and Achievements

The first consultation on public housing took place in 1997, followed by a consultation on urban strategies. In 1998, a solid waste action plan was prepared and a demonstration project on community based solid waste management started to be implemented.

In 1999 a consultation was organised on “Imagining Vinh's Future Identity” which led to the adoption of the first Urban Pact in March 1999.

In January 2000, a Project Document was prepared for the rehabilitation of the Quang Trung estate.

In March 2001, a Partners' workshop was organised on Strategic Projects concluded by the adoption of the Urban Pact 2.

In 2002, DANIDA launched a large integrated solid waste management project. The same year, community development activities started in the Quang Trung estate.

In September 2002, an institutionalisation workshop took place leading to the adoption of the Urban Pact 3 and the institutionalisation of the LA21 project within local government structures.